Pharmasset says Roche will continue enrolling subjects in RG7128 trial after committee review

Pharmasset: hepatitis C drug trial will continue

NEW YORK — Pharmasset Inc. said Monday that it will continue enrolling patients in a clinical trial of RG7128, a drug that is designed to treat the liver disease hepatitis C.

An independent committee reviewed data from the first 100 subjects enrolled in the midstage study, which compares a combination of RG7128 and standard treatments to standard treatment and a placebo. The committee found that side effects, discontinuations, and other events were similar in both groups.

Pharmasset, of Princeton, N.J., said its partner Roche of Switzerland will open enrollment for the remaining 300 subjects.

The review was based on eight or 12 weeks of treatment. Pharmasset said Roche is going to start several longer studies in the first half of 2010. Pharmasset said Roche will begin a separate study of RG7128 in subjects with different strains of hepatitis C.

In afternoon trading, Pharmasset shares rose 11 cents to $19.77.